§ Mr. A. Edwardsasked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any statement to make on the recent official request of the Italian Government on the currency strain in Italy in connection with the Allied military lire if he can state the volume of British issued Allied military lire; and whether there is a concerted Anglo-American policy on that matter.
§ Sir J. GriggAll Allied military lire are issued, in the first instance, by the Allied Financial Agency, which is responsible through the Supreme Allied Commander, Mediterranean, to the Combined Chiefs of Staff in Washington. It is at present undesirable to disclose the amount issued to 245W the British Forces alone, which is naturally related to their numbers. I can, however, assure the hon. Member that the currency policy is concerted with the American authorities, and that every effort is being made not to place any greater currency strain than is necessary to meet the local requirements of our Forces.